In the Loop tracks who’s up and who’s down in government circles, the arduous “fact-finding trips” officials must take to Rio, Paris and Rome at taxpayer expense, and looks at the quirkier corners of political life in the federal city.» More Al Kamen» More Emily Heil

In the Loop: Marriott

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, leading in a recent poll of who GOP voters would like to see as Romney’s pick for his running-mate, raised some eyebrows recently when she spoke to a prominent Brigham Young University business group.